Comparative study on treating complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint with three different methods

Objective:To comparatively study complete dislo cation of acromioclavicular joint treated with three different methods. Methods:A total of 96 patients (81 males and 15 females, aged 16-59 years, mean=45 years) with complete dislocation of acromioclavicular join t were treated with Dewars operation (Group A, n=32), internal fixation with K irschner tension band wires (Group B, n=44), or internal fixation with Wolter pl ates (Group C, n=20), respectively, in this study. Eighty-five patients suffere d from acute dislocations and eleven from chronic dislocations. Results:The patients were followed up for 50 months on an aver age. According to Karlssons standard, in Group A, 26 patients were assessed as good, 5 as fair and 1 as poor. In Group B, 20 patients were assessed as good, 1 3 as fair and 11 as poor. In Group C, 15 patients were assessed as good, 4 as fa ir and 1 as poor. The good and fair rates were significantly different between G roup A and Group B, and between Group C and Group B, but no statistical differen ce was found between Group A and Group C. The operating time was ( 52.36 ± 7 .24 ) minutes, ( 67.43 ± 8.11 ) minutes and ( 69.73 ± 8.04 ) minutes in Groups A, B and C, respectively. And the hospitalizing fees were ( 2 400 ± 270) yuan, ( 2 100 ±190) yuan and ( 8 450 ±360) yuan in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Conclusions:Dewars operation is a good and safe method with shorter operating time and lower hospitalizing fee for treating complete disloca tion of acromioclavicular joint. The method is simple without the need of a seco nd operation to remove the implants and with few complications.